The Fluvanna County School Board approved installing an artificial turf field at the new high school.
The measure, approved 4-2, comes with a stipulation the cost of the field will not exceed $1 million.
“The only thing I hear, I think, that is a negative is money,” board member Vivian Leach, Rivanna District, said.
A representative from Nielsen Builders, the contractor for the new school complex, estimated the cost of the field would be $1.07 million using a bid from AstroTurf. The cost of the artificial turf estimated at $680,00. The site work and drainage system estimated to be $306,000. Other costs would be other construction fees.
The most vocal opponent of the move was board member Thomas Muir, Palmyra District.
“I think, we as a board, will gain a lot of goodwill if we showed fiscal responsibility,” Muir said. Muir also noted he hated to oppose the motion but the cost was so high.
The board was addressed by Fitzgerald Barnes, athletic director at Monticello High School, concerning how Monticello has done since installing its artificial turf field.
Barnes said every week the community uses the field along with the normal school activities. Monticello has seen a decrease in injuries because of the field being more level compared to a grass field. He noted ankle injuries especially have decreased.
A concern is females having a problem with leg strength on the field. Barnes noted Monticello’s trainer preempted the season play by giving additional leg exercises to all female athletes.
While the cost of the field is expensive upfront, Barnes noted Albemarle County has saved in field maintenance. He said they have permanent football and soccer markings on the field and only need to paint the field once for field hockey and lacrosse. After the season, the athletic department goes back and removes those temporary lines.
Board member Shirely LeVines, Columbia District, said, “We are going to pay, one way or another.”
One idea board member Barbara Gibbons, Rivanna District, suggested was installing the site work for the field but still putting in grass. The idea continued to install an artificial turf field within 10 years, a normal period before an artificial turf field would need to be replaced.
Fluvanna Supervisor John Gooch, Palmyra District, spoke during public comments saying, “It’s not going to happen later, that’s what happens in Fluvanna County.”
The motion passed with Chairwoman Bertha Armstrong, RJ Searcy, Leach and LeVines voting in favor. Muir and Gibbons dissented.
The new high school is scheduled to be completed in the 2011-2012 school year. Estimation is the school will open for the 2012-2013 school year. According to the Nielsen representative, the ground work for has hit a minor delay because of some issue relating to the dirt.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved moving the utility easement for CenturyLink. Currently the utilities are located where Virginia Department of Transportation plans on putting additional lanes to enter the new high school complex.
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